The invention relates to VLP derived from human polyoma virus loaded with a drug (cargo) as a drug delivery system for transporting said drug into the CNS, in particular of living humans.

The present disclosure is directed to expression vectors, comprising a weakened SV40 promoter, and recombinant mammalian cells capable of producing high levels of a polypeptide of interest, methods of generating and using such recombinant mammalian cells.

The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs). Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against antigens optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against both the VLPs and antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

The present invention relates to compositions of virus-like particles for the introduction of RNA-interference (RNAi-) inducing molecules into eukaryotic cells and methods for the cell type-specific transduction of a plurality of eukaryotic cells with RNAi-inducing molecules. The present invention furthermore relates to methods for a diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases or disease states associated with an increased expression rate of at least one endogenous gene, and/or with the undesired expression of at least one endogenous gene and/or foreign nucleic acids, in particular viral nucleic acids.

Affinity peptide ligands of mouse polyomavirus capsomers and a designed screening method thereof. The affinity peptide ligands can be used for separation and purification of the capsomers.

Provided are novel human-derived antibodies specifically recognizing polyomavirus polypeptides, preferably capable of binding to polyomaviruses of the type of JC virus (JCV) and/or BK virus (BKV) as well as methods related thereto. Furthermore, assays and kits related to antibodies specific for polyomaviruses, polyomavirus VP1 and or polyomavirus VP1 Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), preferably of the type of JCV and/or BKV, are disclosed. The human-derived antibodies as well as binding fragments, derivatives and variants thereof can be used in pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions for polyomavirus targeted immunotherapy and diagnostics.

The present invention provides methods, kits, and compositions for reducing an innate immune system response in a human or animal cell, tissue or organism. One embodiment comprises: introducing an Agent mRNA comprising in vitro-synthesized mRNA encoding one or more proteins that affect the induction, activity or response of an innate immune response pathway; whereby, the innate immune response in the cell, tissue or organism is reduced compared to the innate immune response in the absence of the Agent mRNA. Other embodiments are methods, compositions and kits for using an Agent mRNA for treating a disease or medical condition in a human or animal that exhibits symptoms of an elevated innate immune system, or for reducing an innate immune response that is induced in a human or animal cell, tissue or organism by a Foreign Substance that is administered to the cell, tissue or organism.

The present invention provides murine monoclonal antibody molecules that bind to Merkel cell carcinoma (MCV) polypeptides.

Affinity peptide ligands of mouse polyomavirus capsomers and a designed screening method thereof. The affinity peptide ligands can be used for separation and purification of the capsomers.

The present invention provides compositions relating to viral capsomeres which comprise foreign immunogenic sequences for use in pharmaceutical compositions and methods of producing such compositions, and related isolated or purified protein and nucleic acid molecules, vectors, host cells, compositions, and methods of use to augment an immune response, immunize an animal and prophylactically or therapeutically treat a disease, disorder or condition. The viral capsomere may be derived from a polyomavirus and comprise an immunogen of interest at the N-terminus and further at the C-terminus and/or at one or more exposed loops of the capsomere.